The political and entertainment worlds have collided with the release of the first trailer for a new documentary film centred on Melania Trump. Simply titled 'MELANIA', the film is set to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the former First Lady in the lead-up to her husband Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration.
Inside the $40 Million Deal and the Film's Premise
Amazon MGM Studios has secured the rights to the project as part of a substantial $40 million licensing deal. The documentary, scheduled for a theatrical release on 30 January, will follow the 55-year-old during the pivotal 20-day period before the 2025 inauguration ceremony. The newly released minute-long trailer is styled like a political thriller, packed with dramatic visuals and intimate moments.
The preview opens with Melania Trump at the inauguration, wearing her distinctive wide-brimmed navy hat, as she surveys the scene and remarks, 'Here we go again.' It then cuts to a rapid montage featuring her exiting vehicles, boarding and disembarking from Air Force One, and engaging in a private phone conversation with the former President. These shots are interwoven with iconic imagery of Washington DC, the White House, Mar-a-Lago, and Trump Tower.
Unprecedented Access and Immediate Public Reaction
The film's tagline promises 'unprecedented access... through the eyes of the First Lady-elect herself.' Melania directly addresses the audience's curiosity, stating to the camera, 'Everybody wants to know, so here it is.' One particularly notable moment in the trailer shows her taking a call from Donald Trump, whom she formally addresses as 'Mr. President.'
Online reaction to the trailer was swift and mixed. Some social media users admitted they initially believed the preview was a parody or an AI-generated creation. Comments ranged from praising Melania as an 'icon' to comparing the film unfavourably to the television series Succession. The infamous inauguration hat also resurfaced in discussions, with viewers recalling the widespread online commentary it originally provoked.
Controversy Surrounds Director Brett Ratner
The documentary is directed by Brett Ratner, a filmmaker who has been absent from major Hollywood projects for nearly a decade. Ratner, best known for the Rush Hour franchise, faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in 2017, which he denied categorically. Sources report that Ratner was granted 'unfettered access' to film inside the Trump White House for 30 days, a situation that reportedly caused discomfort among Secret Service agents.
It has been suggested that Melania Trump was a fan of Ratner's work and was even drawn to the fact he had been 'canceled' by Hollywood. This is not Melania's first foray into autobiographical projects; in October 2024, she published a book also titled 'Melania', detailing her life from Slovenia to the White House.
The release of 'MELANIA' marks a significant moment, transforming a figure often seen as deliberately private into the central subject of a high-stakes cinematic documentary. The film is poised to generate considerable debate and public interest upon its release at the end of January.
